Patch it Up

Luke 12: ⁵⁷ “Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?⁵⁸ When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. ⁵⁹ I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite.”

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“Ooo, you gonna get it!” I said to my sibling in anger. During my rage I wanted someone else to be mad at this person so I figured I would take matters to a higher authority. When I exclaimed my discontent the “judge” punished both of us. “Wait a minute. I didn’t do anything wrong” or so I thought.

• There were times when I wanted to be right and wound up being wrong.
• There were times when I wanted my adversary to be punished and I got punished instead.
• There were times when I poked out my lip and said “but they did it” and was told, “Yes but you know better.”

JESUS cuts through a litigious group who wanted “their” way at every turn. They went off to prove they were right instead of coming to an agreement. The person who dragged another to the judge could possibly wind up in trouble.

• GOD wants me to come to an agreement with those I oppose.
• GOD wants me to not be “right” all the time but be with people in an effort to have peace.
• GOD wants me to have peace with my neighbor without compromising my beliefs and values.

Sometimes by saying “You are right”, gives my adversary room to discover if they are truly right. Joining the person for the purpose of peace brings fruit that I could not imagine. GOD does not want me to violate HIS word so I can still work within my values.

HE simply wants me to review the argument and if it is not violating HIS word, then maybe I should drop the issue and not hold onto being right. Maybe the other person needs to be “right” in order to feel good that day. GOD wants me to drag people off in front of HIM for prayer, but the prayer should be for them to prosper.

• Are you seeking to be right or to be with “that” person?
• Do you want others on your side but maybe you are wrong?
• Will you stop trying to be “right” and seek peace that only comes from GOD today?

Weather Report

Luke 12: ⁵⁴ Then He also said to the multitudes, “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is.⁵⁵ And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is. ⁵⁶ Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?

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Looking outside I practiced predicting the weather. After a while I could smell rain coming or I could see a storm from miles off. I used the same discernment with people. I could see that group of thugs trying to rob me. Discernment was pretty useful.

• I have used discernment to avoid traffic.
• I have used discernment to avoid getting soaked by rain.
• I have used discernment to avoid robberies, political assassinations and slander.

JESUS talks to the crowd about their ability to read the clouds when it came to weather, but their inability to read the spiritual climate when it came to their Savior. HE saw through their desire to appoint a political leader instead of following the living GOD.

• GOD wants me to focus on HIS imminent return.
• GOD wants me to point people to HIM with urgency.
• GOD wants me to understand that everyday is a gift that should not be wasted.

Focusing incessantly on the news can get me in trouble. I will eventually only see what is told to me as being the truth . BUT GOD wants me to use discernment to see through the garbage and see HIM as my only answer. HE solves problems on a mass scale and on the minute.

HIS love for me stretches beyond my borders as HE tries to reach my family, neighbors and people I have not met yet. HE ants me to discern the time and prepare people for HIS return.

• What are you using your discernment for?
• Are you mostly trying to protect yourself?
• Will you stop trying to predict the future without using GOD as your guide?

Choosing Sides

Luke 12: ⁴⁹ “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! ⁵⁰ But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! ⁵¹ Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. ⁵² For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. ⁵³ Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

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“Will you take five minutes to send a voicemail to the employees inspiring them to follow GOD?” was the question posed to me. My career was on the rise and I had a promotion right at my fingertips. From what I saw, many of the leaders did not mention a relationship with GOD. Besides, the person who wanted me to take over their post was being let go. “I’ll pass” I said.

• There have been many times when my silence about GOD chose a side.
• There have been times when I had the opportunity to speak about GOD and did not.
• There have been times that I chose to be with the people who were against GOD so I could be on the “winning” side.

JESUS saw the hearts of the crowd. Some wanted a political leader and some wanted a savior and some wanted to rob, steal and kill. JESUS says some very harsh words about HIS kingdom that is a wake up call to everyone.

• JESUS wants me to side with HIM no matter what the circumstance is.
• JESUS wants me to see HIM as the only solution in spite of what humans can promise.
• JESUS wants me to believe in HIS salvation, especially when things look bleak enough to follow humans.

There is no human plan that can work without GOD’s permission, even evil plans. GOD wants my belief to be totally in HIM. But what happens when someone close to me refuses to believe in JESUS? HE wants me to keep praying for them but stay with HIM. HIS love, unfortunately will divide because of sinful hearts. HE wants me to ask for a clean heart to spread HIS kingdom. That’s all.

• Are you considering denouncing GOD so you can be with the crowd?
• Do you feel pressure to hide your relationship with JESUS?
• Will you be bold for GOD in spite of those around you who may or may not believe in HIM?
• Will you stop looking for evidence of “following GOD” in those around you and simply serve GOD the way HE wants you to?

You Know Better

Luke 12: ⁴¹ Then Peter said to Him, “Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?”

⁴² And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? ⁴³ Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. ⁴⁴ Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. ⁴⁵ But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, ⁴⁶ the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. ⁴⁷ And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. ⁴⁸ But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

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“This kid is irritating!” I said to a sibling. The annoyance reached terminal velocity and something had to be done. “Where is our house guest?” was the question posed to us when things got a little too quiet. “In the dirty clothes hamper” I confessed. I assisted in putting the child in there and sitting on the top. “You know better” were the words pointed at me.

• There were times when I was “right” but was wrong.
• There were times when I did stuff that I would not do in the presence of certain people.
• There were times when I knew I was wrong, but I felt justified in my actions.

“What about them” was the gist of Peter’s question concerning the parable pointed at the disciples. JESUS recognized the immaturity in Peter’s words and elaborated on HIS comment. JESUS states that those who truly follow HIM, much more will be required of them. In other words, do what is right.

• GOD wants me to study from HIM and learn HIS ways.
• GOD wants me to obey HIS commands, especially when I do not feel like doing so.
• GOD wants me to be caught in the act of loving someone rather than being caught harming others.

“You know better” is what GOD says to me when I am grown and others are acting immature. I cannot pout over that that person is doing, rather I need to behave according to how GOD wants me to behave. HE cares for me and wants me to show that same care to others. HE wants to catch me in the act of loving someone.

• Have you stopped believing in JESUS’s imminent return?
• Do you think JESUS would be pleased with how you are treating people?
• Can you stop acting immature and seek GOD’s love to fill your heart today?

Ready

Luke 12: ³⁵ “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; ³⁶ and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. ³⁷ Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.³⁸ And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. ³⁹ But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. ⁴⁰ Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

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After the meeting I scheduled another meeting as a follow up to make sure I understood everything. I was being left “in charge” for the short period and I wanted to make sure I understood everything that was going on. During the follow-up meeting I was asked “Are you sure you are ready for this?” “Absolutely” I answered.

• Many times I had to prepare.
• Many times I had to sit and wait for the unknown.
• Many times I had to be confident that something may occur at a moment’s notice.

JESUS says some confusing words to HIS disciples. HE spoke in a parable like tone and told them to be ready for the master’s return. Ready for what? I mean what should I be doing?

• GOD says to me “Prepare yourself daily by speaking to ME.”
• GOD says to me “Seek the kingdom everyday and you will be prepared.”
• GOD says to me “Your life is mine so be prepared to be with ME eternally.”

More and more responsibility is what GOD wants to give me. HE understands my limits and will only give me as much as I can handle. If I as ready as a child then I may not be given much responsibility for GOD’s kingdom. But if I am growing in GOD then HE will help me prepare myself and others for what HE has in store. GOD wants me to be ready daily.

• What are you preparing for?
• Are you preparing to be accepted by humans more and more?
• Can you take some time to prepare yourself for GOD’s kingdom by seeking those HE wants you to seek today?

Treasure Map

Luke 12: ²⁹ “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. ³⁰ For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. ³¹ But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

³² “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. ³³ Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. ³⁴ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

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Standing in the outfield I hoped no one would hit a ball to me. Unfortunately they did, over and over. Finally the coach pulled me in and said “Maybe next year.” This was the annual tryouts for the best little league team in the neighborhood and since my friends were doing it, I figured I would too even though I couldn’t hit, catch or run.

• Many times I did things without really wanting to do them.
• Many times I participated, but could not wait for the activity to be over.
• Many times I joined in but really did not enjoy what I was doing.

The FATHER’s heart is expressed by JESUS to the disciples. “HE knows that you need these things” was JESUS’s statement when it came to worrying about what you will eat and drink. JESUS tries to clear up any misconception that I may have regarding the FATHER’s love for me.

• JESUS says to me “The FATHER know your needs.”
• JESUS says to me “Do not fear for it is your FATHER’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
• JESUS says to me “Seek the kingdom of GOD and the FATHER will meet your needs.”

But how can I seek the kingdom? What does that mean? GOD wants me to change the desires of my heart to focus on giving directly to those who are in need. HE wants my heart to be excited about seeing people grow towards HIM and to look for opportunities to serve my neighbors rather than complaining about them.

GOD wants me to have an abundant life and that abundance means people turning their face towards HIM because of the love HE has shown me. HE guides my heart to serve HIM daily.

• What is your heart set on?
• Do you feel sorry for yourself and your situation?
• Can you change your focus from you and add the desire to have people grow in CHRIST on a daily basis?
• Will you give a little of what you have to someone in need today?

Worry Actions

Luke 12: ²² Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. ²³ Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.²⁴ Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? ²⁵ And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? ²⁶ If you then are not able to do the least, why ^[d]are you anxious for the rest? ²⁷ Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ²⁸ If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?

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Three o’clock in the morning was not unfamiliar to me. I had woken up many nights facing the pressures of work. Some nights, sleep evaded me altogether. After several years of this, the company decided to get rid of an entire group, including me. No more pressures. Why was I awake in the middle of the night?

• My thoughts can sometimes get the best of me.
• My mind can sometimes overthink situations.
• My security can be shattered when I do not have answers to the questions my mind conjures up.

JESUS tells HIS disciples “Do not worry” as if they had a choice in the matter. But then HE explains “why” they should not worry, which kind of defies logic. HE explains that GOD’s raging river of a plan cannot be stopped. HE says GOD cares about feeding birds, HE can certainly care about feeding humans, who HE created in HIS image.

• GOD cares about my physical attributes.
• GOD cares about my mental wellbeing.
• GOD cares about my comfort, my health, my relationships and my spirit.

GOD does care for me so I must get a grip on the lies my mind can dream up and focus on the truth. HIS plan seems strange, especially when I feel I am in control of my life. HE puts me in situations that actually grow me and HE removes blind spots where fear was leading me.

HIS power is unstoppable and I have to ride HIS raging river to the quiet place HE has for me. I put my trust in GOD. HIS plan is always great for me!

• Are you worried about your future?
• Do you think GOD has forgotten you or is punishing you?
• Will you stop thinking poorly about GOD’s love for you?
• Will you take the opportunity to grow instead of remaining a child and allow GOD’s strength to shine in your life today?